There is only one Glenagragra. The northern part of the townland is known locally as Scort, some have it Glenagragra Upper as their address. When checking birth, death and marriage certs the name Scort is given for that part of the townland. Some people may take offence to the name Scort but I’m merely writing it as recorded. Glenagragra also spelt Glenagragara.

The Connolly family that I know of date back to the early 1800’s or thereabouts. According to Griffith’s Valuation 1851, Patrick Connolly, born circa 1804 had a farm in Glenagragra. It would appear that Patrick came west from ‘Buck’s Hill’ area of Ardagh and would appear to be the same Patrick Connolly mentioned here who died in 1864 aged 60 years. His wife Mary was born circa 1809 (Dont know her surname) and died a widow at Glenagragra on Nov 25^th 1889, her son David (Dave) present at her death. The following are the daughter and sons of the said Patrick Connolly and Mary ? –

(1) Mary Connolly. b1851

(2) Mick Connolly.

(3) Paddy Connolly.

(4) Dave Connolly. b1847

(1) Mary Connolly (daughter of Patrick Connolly & Mary ?) was born in 1851. On Feb 8^th 1875 at Catholic church in Glin, Mary Connolly married Patrick O’Brien son of Michael O’Brien deceased from Tenekilla, Ballyhahill  the witnesses being James B. O’Brien and Johanna Connell. Mary’s father Patrick Connolly listed as deceased. They had a daughter who married an O’Keeffe from back in Co. Kerry, O’Keeffe married into the O’Brien place at Tenekilla, Ballyhahill.

(2) Mick Connolly (son of Patrick Connolly & Mary ?)  moved west to Ballinamadough, Glin in the 1860’s where he acquired the lease of a 16-acre farm of land there. He married Margaret McMahon, a native of Co. Clare.  Mary, as a young girl had come to work at Glin castle. Their family, 8 that I know of as follows –

i.Kate Connolly born circa 1865 and died on April 2^nd 1878 at Ballinamadough, her mother Margaret present at her death.

ii.Daniel (Dan) Connolly born July 28th, 1867 at Ballinamadough, Glin. Daniel emigrated to the U.S.A. and became a policeman in New York, as his his son. Dan sent money home to pay for the converting of the thatched house to slate

iii.Margaret Connolly born Oct 1st, 1868 at Ballinamadough, Glin.

iv.John ‘Jack’ Connolly born Jan 21st, 1870 at Ballinamadough. John emigrated to the U.S.A. and worked on the railways in Illinois.

v.Mary Connolly born on Dec 19th, 1871 at Ballinamadough.

vi.Patrick ‘Patsy’ Connolly born Oct 29th, 1873 at Ballinamadough, Glin. Patsy Connolly  married  Sarah Lynch from Ballyculhane. Sarah was the daughter of John Lynch. John Lynchs’ father, who was also called John, was a native of Kilcolgan. This John Lynch was married to Sarah (Sallie) Langan, Kilcolgan. The Lynch’s had one daughter Josephine Lynch who was baptised in 1854 and had at least one son, the aforementioned John Lynch. Patsy, a skilled thatcher, not only managed the family farm but also gained a reputation for his craftsmanship. His work was highly sought after during that time. Interestingly, he was a second cousin to Paddy Jer Connolly in Scort. The farms were closely connected with the original farmhouse situated in Glenagragra. Patsy Connolly in turn had a son Jack Connolly born 1916 who married Mary ‘Tom Kit’ Culhane, Ballyguiltenane. (For more on Jack Connolly see Turtle Bunbury’s book ‘Vanishing Ireland’ which is available on line. (In fact the book originally stated that Jack’s grandfather was Patsy which is incorrect, his name was Mick which I got corrected.)

vii.James Connolly born May 17th, 1875 at Ballinamadiugh, Glin.

viii.Johanna Connolly born Sept 6th, 1876 who died Jan 24^th 1902 aged 25 years, Patrick Connolly brother of deceased present at her death at Ballinamadough.

(3) Paddy Connolly. (son of Patrick Connolly & Mary ?) B 1837 at Glenagragra and died Nov 11^th 1899 at Barneigue aged 62 years, his son Michael present at his death. Paddy had moved east in the 1860’s, married and set up home in Barneigue. He married a Margaret Culhane born circa 1840 from Barneigue. Margaret died on Feb 5^th 1936 aged 96 years, her grand-daughter Monica (Mona) Connolly present at her death. (Mona later married William Chawke, Clounleharde)  Family of Paddy Connolly and Margaret Culhane that I know of as follows –

i.Thomas (Tommy) Connolly (son of Paddy Connolly & Margaret Culhane) born Feb 21st 1865.

ii.James Connolly (son of Paddy Connolly & Margaret Culhane) born Dec 27th 1866.

iii.Mick Connolly (son of Paddy Connolly & Margaret Culhane) born Oct 9th 1868 who was married to Mary O’Neill, Glensharrold and they lived at the cross at Barneigue/Carrickerry which is now O’Keeffe’s.  Mick Connolly and Mary O’Neill had a son Patrick Connolly born Feb 17th 1910. A daughter Ellen Connolly born Sept 24th 1911 and a daughter Monica (Mona) Connolly born on Nov 3rd 1913, Mona who married William Chawke, Clounleharde. (William & Mona Chawke’s daughter married one of the O’Keeffe’s). Mick Connolly died circa 1950 and is interred at Murhur cemetery, Moyvane. Many of the Connolly family are buried in Murhur.

iv.Mary Connolly, (daughter of Paddy Connolly & Margaret Culhane) born Nov 13th 1870 who on Jan 13th, 1889, aged 20 years, at Kilcolman church, married Patrick Griffin aged 25 years, an R.I.C. officer from Kilteely, Glin, son of Patrick Griffin a farmer, the witnesses being Ellen Connolly and a Mr. Daly. Family as follows –

i.Margaret (Maggie) Griffin born on June 15th, 1890 at Barneigue who on Feb 12th, 1923 married James Cribbin a farmer from Kilcolman, son of John Cribbin, the witnesses being Jeremiah Hurley & Catherine Griffin.  At the time of Margaret’s birth her father Patrick was stationed at Listowel, Co. Kerry.

ii.Catherine (Katie) Griffin, born April 1st, 1892 at Barneigue who married Martin Barry, a national school teacher, both of whom taught at Clounleharde national school. Martin was born on Jan 7th, 1898 at Skehanah, Clarecastle, Co. Clare, son of Patrick Barry & Winifred McMahon.  Catherine Griffin Barry retired from teaching around 1961 and was immortalised in verse by the late Paddy Faley of Glenbawn. Martin retired a couple of years after her. Kate carried on the Connolly teaching tradition, her 1st, cousin once removed Margaret (Maggie) Connolly from Glenagragra was head mistress at Ballyguiltenane  National school in her day and taught my late mother. Maggie was married to Bob Culhane, Ballyculhane, Glin.

v.Ellen (Ellie) Connolly (daughter of Paddy Connolly & Margaret Culhane) born August 22nd 1872  married Maurice Windle, Glensharrold on Feb 22nd 1898 at Coolcappa church, the witnesses being – James Moore & Katie O’Neill. Maurice and Ellen had the following family –

John Windle born Dec 15th 1899. Married Johanna (Josie) Dillane, Kinard, sister to Martin Dillane, Kinard & Clounleharde, Ballyhahill. 

Johanna Windle born Feb 4th 1902

Patrick Windle born May 17th 1904.

Margaret Windle born April 14th 1906

Maurice Windle born Nov 8th 1908.

Mary Windle born May 26th 1911 who married Sean Donovan. They ran a thriving  public house in Carrickerry.

Ellen (Nell) Windle born March 27th 1913 who married Joe Flynn, Kilcoleman and ran a shop in Carrickerry. Joe worked for Limerick Co. Council Roads.

vi.John Connolly (son of Paddy Connolly & Margaret Culhane) born April 20th 1875. It seems that John died Sept 28th 1878 aged 3 and a half years.

(4) Dave Connolly (son of Patrick Connolly & Mary ?) married Mary (Maine) Griffin b1864, Glenagragra, daughter of William (Billy) Griffin who was alive at the time. Dave’s father was deceased. Wedding on Feb 9^th 1884 the witnesses being Patrick  Connolly and Margaret Griffin. Dave Connolly died August 15^th 1911 at Glenagragra from cancer of the stomach, his daughter Margaret ‘Maggie’  Connolly present at his death. His wife Mary died Feb 20th 1954 aged 90 years.

1901 Census as follows –

Surname	Forename	Age	Sex	Relation to head	Religion
Connolly	David	54	Male	Head of Family	Roman Catholic
Connolly	Mary Griffin	37	Female	Wife	Roman Catholic
Connolly	Mary	13	Female	Daughter	Roman Catholic
Connolly	John	11	Male	Son	Roman Catholic
Connolly	Margaret	9	Female	Daughter	Roman Catholic
Connolly	Patrick	6	Male	Son	Roman Catholic
Connolly	William	3	Male	Son	Roman Catholic

1911 Census for above –

Surname	Forename	Age	Sex	Relation to head	Religion
Connolly	David	65	Male	Head of Family	Roman Catholic
Connolly	Mary Griffin	47	Female	Wife	Roman Catholic
Connolly	Mary	23	Female	Daughter	Roman Catholic
Connolly	John	22	Male	Son	Roman Catholic
Connolly	Pat	17	Male	Son	Roman Catholic
Connolly	Willie	14	Male	Son	Roman Catholic

Dave Connolly & Mary Griffin’s family as per above and more –

(i,)Michael Connolly b Jan

(i,)Michael Connolly b Jan 4th, 1886 at Glenagragra. Michael died Aug 16^th 1891 at Glenagragra aged 5 years, his father David Connolly present at his death. Michael died from Cholera that causes profuse watery diarrhea and can lead to death by sudden dehydration because of the tremendous output of liquid stool.

(ii) Mary Connolly born April 22nd,1888 at Glenagragra.  Mary worked at home right up until her death at Glenagragra from carcinoma on May 7th, 1941. Carcinoma is a type of cancer to the skin.

(iii) Johnny Connolly born July 11th 1889 at Glenagragra. Johnny inherited the family farm and remained single in life there until his death in September 1977 age 87 years. (see also Griffin William) I knew Johnny very well.

(iv) Margaret Connolly, born March 17th,1892 (Maggie) was principal at Ballyguiltenane National School for many years and taught my mother for some time. Maggie died November 6^th 1970. She was married to Bob Culhane, Ballyculhane/Ballinagoul, Glin and they both lived in the town of Glin. No issue from that union. (Margaret was always known as Maggie ‘Dave.’) I remember Bob and herself paying a visit to her brothers in Glenagragra every sunday.

(v) Patsy Connolly born Sept 14th, 1894. Patsy was known as ‘The Harness-maker’, that being his line of work. My brother Patrick Langan currently resides on the site of Patsy’s old home. Patsy also remained single.  Patsy died December 18^th 1957 from a stroke at Glenagragra aged 62 years, his sister Maggie Culhane, Ballinagoul present at his death. (Maggie married Bob Culhane, Glin.) I have been reliably informed that the Connolly’s purchased the said house from a Ryan gentleman behind Paddy Langan’s back so to speak. (Paddy was my grandfather.) Paddy and his wife Babe and family were renting from Ryan at the time and had no knowledge of the sale until they were ordered out on the road. Refusing to leave under such circumstances, Paddy inevitably was threatened with the sheriff but was still in defiant. Say’s Paddy, ‘pay me what your paying the sheriff and I’ll go of my own free will’. The parish priest in Glin called to the house not as an inter-medium, but with as much as the same role as that of the sheriff. Not to be making a scene over the whole affair my grandmother Babe indicated that they would leave forthwith. It was the custom in those days where the parish priest played a major role in such cases.  (See also Langan Paddy, Glenagragra)

(iv) William ‘Willie’ Connolly born April 24th 1897 at Glenagragra. Willie was known as the ‘Banker’ as he worked in the bank. Willie remained single in life. He died at 10 o’clock mass in Athea, on February 29^th 1976 aged 78 years.

Mary Griffin Connolly wife of Dave Connolly.

It would appear that the Patrick Connolly mentioned in Griffith’s Valuation of 1851 died in 1864 aged 60 years. Patrick left the Scort portion of the family farm, 15 acres or so, to his nephew Jeremiah Connolly, son of John Connolly, Glensharrold, the remainder he left to his son David (Dave). There is no mention of a Jeremiah Connolly in Griffith’s of that year. The family were originally known as Conneely. It seems that Jeremiah didn’t arrive in Glenagragra ‘till sometime after 1851. His grandson, the present Paddy Connolly informed me that once upon a time Jeremiah had a shop on top of the hill.

Going by the 1901 Census,  Jeremiah Connolly was born circa 1837. Jeremiah was the son of John Connolly from Glensharrold, Carrickerry, on Feb 13th 1872, Jeremiah married Mary (Mamie) Connell, Glenagragra, daughter of Michael Connell, Glenagragra & Catherine Lynch, Glasha, the witnesses were Thomas ? and Mary Connolly. Both parents were alive. Catherine Lynch was my great great grandaunt. She died on March 15th, 1901. Michael Connell died on Jone 22nd, 1882 at Glenagragra. The 1911 census records state that Jeremiah & Mamie had 8 children only two of which were still living. Paddy Faley informed me that Mary met her death in rare circumstances on Jan 16th, 1917. Say’s Paddy,‘’back in those days, the threshing of oats was carried out in the kitchen with flails. Most of the houses back then had very large kitchens, which proved ideal for the task on hand, and Connolly’s was no exception. It was around the Christmas time of the year and Jer agreed to allow his house to be used by the local wrenboys for their wren dance. This meant that the threshing had to be postponed for a few days in order to have the kitchen ready for the dance. The threshed oats was piled up at the lower end of the kitchen with the untreshed sheaves piled against it. Jer and his family had the occasion to be away from home on a particular day and on returning, he found his wife Mary to be missing. Several hours had elapsed and with still no sign of his wife, Jer decided to set up a search party to try to locate her whereabouts. They searched the entire farm and enquired locally but still no trace of Mary. Tom Lynch, a neighbour of the Connolly’s (Tom later lived in a cottage at Blaine Bridge) came up with the brainy idea that she may have fallen down between the sheaves and corn in the kitchen. They removed the sheaves and to their utmost dismay, there they found her lying dead on the floor. It would appear that she had climbed to the top of the sheaves hoping to find some eggs that the hens may have laid up there and in doing so fell head first down between the corn and the sheaves. As she was unable to set herself free, she ultimately smothered and died’’. (George Langan/Mike Connolly)

1901 Census for Jeremiah Connolly. The age 79 must be incorrect as he is listed as 74 years of age on the 1911 Census.

Surname	Forename	Age	Sex	Relation to head	Religion
Connolly	Jeremiah	79	Male	Head of Family	Roman Catholic
Connolly	Mary Connell	61	Female	Wife	Roman Catholic
Connolly	Jeremiah	19	Male	Son	Roman Catholic
Connolly	Patrick	17	Male	Son	Roman Catholic
Connolly	Daniel	11	Male	Son	Roman Catholic
Connolly	George	8	Male	Son	Roman Catholic

1911 Census as follows –

Surname	Forename	Age	Sex	Relation to head	Religion
Connolly	Jeremiah	74	Male	Head of Family	Roman Catholic
Connolly	Mary Connell	62	Female	Wife	Roman Catholic
Connolly	Patrick	27	Male	Son	Roman Catholic
Connolly	George	18	Male	Son	Roman Catholic

Jeremiah Connolly died on May 1st, 1934 at Glenagragra, aged 98 years, his son Patrick present at his death

Family from Jeremiah (Jer) Connolly and Mary (Mamie) O’Connell, eight in total as follows ;

NB. Ballyguiltenane given as the birth place for the family, Glenagragra was often referred to as Ballyguiltenane in those days.

(1) John Connelly born on Nov 30th, 1872 at Glensharrold.

(2)Michael Connolly, born March 4th  1875 at Ballyguiltenane. His father Jeremiah’s occupation given as a labourer. No information on Michael.

(3) James Connolly born April 1st, 1877 at Ballyguiltenane. No information on James.

(4) Kate Connolly born Aug 12th, 1879 at Ballyguiltenane, died Dec 13th, 1880, her father Jeremiah Connolly present at her death. Her father’s occupation now given as a small farmer.

(5) Jeremiah Connolly born circa 1882, emigrated to the U.S.A.

(6) Patrick (Paddy Jer) Connolly born May 15th,1884, died on Jan 12th, 1969,aged 84 years, his daughter Eileen Dalton, Glenagragra present at his death in Glenagragra. Patrick (Paddy Jer) was married twice, firstly to Ellen Windle from Barniegue, Carrickerry, a sister to Johnny Windle. Ellen Windle born circa 1891, died on June 17th 1923, aged 32 years, her brother John Windle present at her death in Knockfinnisk. (An O’Donnell family now live in a new dwelling next door to Johnny Windle’s old homestead.) Paddy Jer Connolly & Ellen Windle had two daughters and one son namely –

i.Jeremiah Connolly. Jeremiah died over at Windle’s, his mothers people in Barneigue when he was 1 year old, he never saw Glenagragra.

ii.Catherine Connolly, born on Sept 2nd, 1921 at Knockfinnisk, Athea. Catherine married Jeremiah ‘Jer’ Mulvihill from Glenalappa, Moyvane, Co. Kerry. (Jeremiah Mulvihill had a sister Kathy Mulvihill who was married to Tom Scanlon, Glasha, Athea, Co. Limerick. Not Verified, may be another Mulvihill family)

iii.Mary Connolly, born on June 5th, 1920 at Glenagragra, Mary O’Brien, Ballyguiltenane present at the birth. Mary contracted T.B. and died at the County Home, Newcastle West on Aug 3rd, 1934 aged 14 years.

Paddy Jer Connolly’s second marriage was on Feb 13th, 1934 at Glin to Bridie Shanahan, born on Jan 19th, 1901, died on June 27th, 1985, daughter of John Shanahan,  Scort and  Ellen *Fealy, Turraree, Glin, Paddy’s age given as 50 years and Bridie’s age given as 33 years. The witnesses were William McInerney and Bridget Quinlivan. Ellen Fealy was the aunt of renowned poet Paddy Faley, Glasha and Glenbawn. John Shanahan’s father was Thomas Shanahan.  Ellen Fealy’s father was Michael Faley, Turraree, Glin. John Shanahan aged 35 years and Ellen Fealy aged 35 years when they were married on Jan 29^th1898 at Glin church, the witnesses being Daniel Fealy, Turraree and Bridget Shanahan. John Shanahan died at Glenagragra on Nov 23rd, 1943, aged 83 years, his daughter Nellie Shanahan present at his death. Ellen Fealy Shanahan was born circa 1862 and died on 20 Apr 1954 at Glenagragra, aged 92 years, her son in law Patrick (Paddy) Mulvihill present at her death, (*The name Fealy was spelt Faley sometime afterwards)

In relation to Census hereunder –

Bridie Shanahan, born on Jan 19th, 1901.

Mary Shanahan was born in Dromreask on April 26th, 1903. (Dromreask & Glenagragra are neighbouring townlands)

Ellen Shanahan was born in Glenagragra on Feb 20th, 1905

Not sure yet who the mother Bridget was.

1911 Census for Shanahan’s of Glenagragra (Scort) as follows –

Surname	Forename	Age	Sex	Relation to head	Religion
Shanahan	John	52	Male	Head of Family	Roman Catholic
Shanahan	Ellen Faley	54	Female	Wife	Roman Catholic
Shanahan	Bridget	10	Female	Daughter	Roman Catholic
Shanahan	Mary	8	Female	Daughter	Roman Catholic
Shanahan	Ellen	6	Female	Daughter	Roman Catholic
Shanahan	Bridget	73	Female	Mother	Roman Catholic

Jack Connolly, Ballinamadough also informed me that his father the previously mentioned Patsy Connolly and Paddy Jer Connolly,  were 2^nd cousins. Family from Paddy Jer Connolly and Bridie Shanahan as follows –

(i) Paddy Connolly the present occupant who married Gretta Greaney, daughter of the legendary sean nos singer Con Greaney, Rooskagh West. Paddy went to his eternal reward on sat June 13th 2020 aged 80 years..

(ii) Eileen Connolly who married her neighbour Paddy Dalton, Scort.

(iii) Bridie Connolly who married Jer Mulvihill from Glenalappa, Moyvane, 1^st cousin to the Jer Mulvihill who married her half sister Catherine Connolly. The two Mulvihill families lived in the one farmyard.

(7) Daniel Connolly born May 2nd, 1889, emigrated to the U.S.A. and joined the police there. He married Mary Dalton from Kilkcolman. He was shot in the course of his duty and died some years afterwards as a result of the said gunshot wound. He came home on a visit to Glenagragra before his death.

(8) George Connolly born Nov 17th, 1892, went to work at his cousins the Dalton’s of Park, Kilcolman and remained there ‘till his death on Jan 12th, 1959 at Limerick Regional Hospital.

Mary (Mamie) Connell above, was born in Glenagragra in a farm that the Flavin’s later inherited. Patrick (Pats) Connell, Scort may have been of the same family.

Members of the Glenagragra Connell’s as follows -:

Joanna Connell born 1857 married to Dan Flavin, Turraree. (Spelt Flahavan back then) son of Paddy Flavin. (See Dan Flavin b1855)

Mary (Mamie) Connell  married her neighbour Jer Connolly, across the hill in Scort.(as above)

John Connell b1849. On Feb 17th 1885 at Murhur church, John Connell son of Mick Connell, deceased, married Mary Fennell from Glenalappa, Moyvane daughter of William Fennell, living, the witnesses being James and Johanna Fennell. They had no family and left the place to Paddy Flavin, son of Dan Flavin. See https://langangeorgedotcom2.wordpress.com/

Old Connolly Homestead in Glenagragra now in ruins.

Photo By Georghe Langan 2007.

Another view of above homestead.

Photo By George Langan2007.

There was a John Connelly born Nov 13th 1872 at Glensharrold son of  Jeremiah Connelly and Mary O’Connell.

A John Connelly died in Glensharrold on Jan 3rd 1879 aged 80 years, Catherine O’Connor present at the death. It is thought that John was the brother of Patrick Connolly, Glenagragra who died in 1864 aged 60 years..

A Margaret Connelly, labourers widow died Feb 6th 1882 at Glenastar, Ardagh, Kate O’Connor occupier present at her death.